John Ray

Other Events and Attributes:

• Adopted: Adopted by General Stark after parents died aboard ship coming from England was the family story, however, there is no record of General Stark ever being on an ocean voyage so this was apparently untrue. No record is available concerning his birth or adoption. But he was apparently raised by the Stark family.
• Military Service: According to an e-mail received from the Daughters of the American Revolution on 26 Jan 2009: A search of our Patriot Index provided the information found below. RAY, John Birth: MA 1744 Service: NH Rank: PS Death: NH 22 Jan 1823 Patriot Pensioned: No Widow Pensioned: No Children Pensioned: No Heirs Pensioned: No Spouse: (1) Mary Russell He is an established patriot. We cannot tell you if you can be a member [of the DAR] or not -- only the professional genealogists who examine the applications make that decision.
• Land: 1772, Manchester, New Hampshire; General Stark's Land "In 1772 he [General Stark] deeded to John Ray (traditionally 'brought up from a boy') a part of the home farm, the only family transfer for years to come. 'Johnny Ray' had married 'Mary Russell,' presumably a sister of James [Russell] of Bow [New Hampshire]. In 1801 the General sold to John Stark the 'northerly part of the far I now live on,' reserving 200 acres off the south west side 'which I have willed to my grandson, John Stark, which now lives with me.' "In 1806 he deeded this lot to the young man not waiting for the will. The original Stark farm now comprises the finest residential portion of the city of Manchester. Even in 1904 it was estimated to be worth $3,500,000 (Roland Rowell General John Stark's Home Farm, Manchester Historic Association). In 1765 the General was taxed only $6.00 on the whole of it."

Notes:

Died:
According to headstone, died at age 78 on 22 Jan 1823

John married Mary Page Russell in 1775. Mary (daughter of Edward Russell and Mary Page) was born on 26 Feb 1755 in Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 08 Oct 1817; was buried in Valley Cemetery, Manchester, New Hampshire. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Obtained from a family tree on Ancestry.com, attributed to "J. Nelson Howell, grandson of Edith Spidle"

1. Edward Ray was born on 08 Mar 1776 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire.
2. Mary Ray was born on 28 Mar 1778 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire.
3. Colonel John Ray, Jr. was born on 24 Jan 1780 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire; died on 13 Oct 1847 in Manchester, New Hampshire; was buried in Manchester, New Hampshire.
4. James Ray was born on 20 Mar 1782 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire; died on 15 Jun 1852 in Manchester, New Hampshire; was buried in Manchester, New Hampshire.
5. Stark Ray was born on 18 Aug 1784 in New Hampshire; died on 04 Feb 1866 in New Hampshire.
6. Jeremiah Ray was born on 25 Aug 1786 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire; died on 03 Mar 1859 in Manchester, New Hampshire; was buried in Manchester, New Hampshire.
7. Russell Ray was born in 1791 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
8. Elizabeth Ray was born on 17 Jun 1793 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire.
9. Sarah Ray was born on 07 Oct 1795 in Derryfield (Manchester), New Hampshire.
10. Axie Ray